BTW News Briefs

California Nixes Participation in Streamlined Sales Tax Project

In what could be a significant blow to the Streamlined Sales Tax Project's chances of getting tax legislation passed in Congress, California is "backing away" from collecting sales tax on out-of-state online purchases, according to the San Jose Business Journal. Eliminating the possibility to do so was a "non-decision," California Board of Equalization member Bill Leonard told the Journal, made last year when California's legislature declined to fund the state's involvement with other states in SSTP.

Organizers of the tax effort told the Journal that California's absence doesn't end SSTP, but without California, as well as the absence of New York, Texas and Florida, the odds are against the other 15 smaller states successfully convincing Congress to pass SSTP legislation. California loses approximately $2 billion annually in taxes by not collecting on out-of-state sales made over the Internet, the Board of Equalization reported. The state requires that online retailers with nexus in the state to collect sales tax, and requires residents to pay sales tax on purchases they make out-of-state, but as the Journal noted, few do.

Mystery Writers of America Launches Website for All Things Edgar

The Mystery Writers of America (MWA) has launched a new website for all things related to the Edgars Awards, or "Edgars."

The website, www.theedgars.com , offers everything from information about various Edgar Week activities to profiles of each of the 2007 Edgar Award nominees and details about the award ceremony itself.

The Edgar Awards, named after Edgar Allan Poe, are awarded to authors of distinguished work in various categories. The 2007 Edgar Awards Banquet will be held on April 26, 2007, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City. At the banquet, Stephen King will receive the Grand Master Award, the highest honor bestowed by MWA. The event will be hosted by Al Roker of NBC's Today Show.

Gift Card Spending Helps Raise January Sales 5.3 Percent

According to the National Retail Federation, "consumers put their gift cards to good use in January, snapping up discounted winter apparel and new spring merchandise at clothing stores, department stores, and personal care stores." NRF reported that retail industry sales for January (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) rose 5.3 percent unadjusted over last year and 0.7 percent seasonally adjusted from December.

"Shoppers hit the stores in January to redeem holiday gift cards from a wide variety of retailers," said NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells. "Though January is historically the slowest sales month for retailers, gift cards are changing the game by bringing a much-needed boost to stores."